HMRC advertises for new CIO

The new chief information officer of HM Revenue and Customs will initially earn up to £180k, according to the advertisement for the role.

The job, initially a three year fixed term appointment, is in a salary band paying £100,000 to £205,000 annually.

It is open to UK nationals with "extensive information technology leadership and management experience at a senior level", with preference given to those who have worked within a FTSE 100 company or large public organisation and some international experience.

The civil service's description of the vacancy emphasises the need for improvements, particularly for businesses dealing with HMRC. "In a substantial and challenging leadership role the CIO will transform customer service and improve compliance with the tax system, as well as enhance the efficiency of tax administration," it says.

"The needs of customers, particularly businesses, is a key focus of this reform agenda and IT/IS will play a critical role in the delivery of these objectives."

HMRC's IT has been a significant source of embarrassment for the government, most obviously its loss of 25m people's data in autumn 2007, as well as problems with tax credits.

However, the previous permanent CIO Steve Lamey was promoted to chief operating officer in October 2007, after three years in the job. In September 2008 he was appointed as director general, benefits and credits. Deepak Singh has acted as CIO since Lamey's promotion.